Liverpool have joined Premier League rivals Arsenal in the race to sign Real Madrid winger Rodrygo, according to reports in Spain.
Brazil international Rodrygo has been heavily linked with a move away from the Bernabeu this summer.
The 24-year-old has been a key player for Real Madrid over the past five seasons, making 270 appearances for Los Blancos and helping the club win three La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues.
Despite his influence in Madrid, Rodrygo has been linked with a summer move after his relationship with the club soured last season.
Xabi Alonso’s arrival at Real Madrid initially looked set to keep Rodrygo at the club but the Brazilian was benched for five of Madrid’s six matches at the Club World Cup.
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Reports in Spain say Real Madrid are open to selling Rodrygo, believing he has ‘become more of a problem than a solution’.
Arsenal held talks over a move for the talented winger earlier in the summer and could yet revive their interest.
Mikel Arteta is set to welcome Noni Madueke to the Emirates Stadium in a £55m deal from Chelsea but the England international favours playing off the right.
Gabriel Martinelli, often on Arsenal’s left wing, has been linked with a summer move, with Bayern Munich registering an interest in Rodrygo’s Brazil teammate.
Arsenal are not looking to sell Martinelli but his exit could lead to a stunning bid for Rodrygo, one of the most highly-rated wingers in the world.
According to AS, Liverpool have also expressed interest in signing Rodrygo as they look for further attacking reinforcements for Arne Slot.
The Premier League champions spent £115m on German playmaker Florian Wirtz but are open to bringing further forwards to Anfield, especially is Luis Diaz leaves.
Barcelona have made Diaz one of their top summer transfer targets along with Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.
Reports in Spain say that while Real Madrid are open to offers for Rodrygo, they want slapped an asking price of 100m euros (£86m) on the Brazilian.
Rodrygo was thought to be available at around £67m but AS claim Madrid are now demanding more, knowing there is substantial interest in a player entering the peak years of his career.
Earlier in the summer, ex-England defender Micah Richards said he ‘really believes’ Rodrygo could leave Real Madrid this summer and insisted he would be a ‘good fit’ for Arsenal.
‘Rodrygo said he didn’t want to play on the right, didn’t he? That’s where the frustration is coming from,’ the former Manchester City star said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
‘Everyone wants to play on the left, even though they’re right-footed. I think he could leave in the summer, I really believe he could leave.
‘He’s a top player, a top player. He’s been linked with Arsenal as well. ‘I think Rodrygo would fit in really good in the Arsenal system, for sure.’
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